Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,338 – 6,384

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

22 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3697

Location

Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria
جسر الشغور
On May 22, 2019, two named civilians died and nine more - including a child and several members of the White Helmets - were wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr al Shoughour in Syria, local media reported. According to the White Helmets, this was a "double tap" raid - as members…

Summary

Published
22 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

22 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3698

Location

Saraqeb, Idlib, Syria
سراقب
In what was widely reported as regime airstrikes , three or four civilians including a child died and up to 20 more were wounded in Saraqeb on May 22nd, 2019. However, one source - Mohammed Galul - reported that Russia were also carrying out raids in the town. Mohamd Aslan joined the Syrian Network for…

Summary

Published
22 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

21–22 May, 2019

Incident Code

RS3696

Location

Ma'arat al Nu'man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
In a major civilian casualty incident, between nine and 12 civilians including a child died and up to 50 more were wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on a popular market in Maarat al Numan, according to sources on the ground. Eight of those killed were identified, and the ninth one was identified…

Summary

Published
21 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3694

Location

Hayan, Aleppo, Syria
حيان
Smart News reported that one child was injured in Hayan, Aleppo, in the explosion of a remnant of a cluster bomb on May 19th, 2019. The source stated that the remnant was the product of a previous "aerial bombardment by Russian warplanes". A local source quoted by Smart News stated that the cluster bomb remnant…

Summary

Published
19 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

19–20 May, 2019

Incident Code

RS3695

Location

Kafar Nubul, Idlib, Syria
كفرنبل
According to numerous sources, a series of consecutive overnight strikes devastated a neighbourhood of Kafar Nubul from May 19th to 20th, killing 10 to 15 civilians, while injuring two to 20. While the majority of sources held Russia accountable for the bombardment, a minority did not positively attribute blame. Women and children were named by…

Summary

Published
19 May 2019
View Incident

Incident Date

18 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3693

Location

Al Habit, Idlib, Syria
الهبيط
A civilian male was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Habit, Hama governorate, on May 18th, 2019, according to local sources. The Syrian Human Rights Committee wrote that: "Hasan Abdul Qadir Shishakli, from the town of Halfaya, in the northern countryside of Hama Governorate, died as a result of aerial bombardments…

Summary

Published
18 May 2019
View Incident